Keyboard perforator and counter



May 18, 1937. "B. F. MA DSEN' KEYBOARD PERFORATOR AND COUNTER Filed April 27, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet l BERTHEL F k mm Wm w mm 8 8 mm om No.

INVENTOR MADSEN ATTORNEY B.F.MADSEN KEYBOARD PERFORATOR AND COUNTER May 18, 1937.

Filed April 27, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG. 4 235 I28 237 I26 FIG. 5

v INVENTOR BERTHEL E MADSEN ATTORN Y Patented May 18, 1937 PATENT OFFICE KEYBOARD PERFORATOR AND COUNTER Berthel F. Madsen, Chicago, Ill., assignor, by

niesne assignments, to Teletypesetter Corporation, a corporation of Delaware Application April 27, 1935, Serial No. 18,575

Claims.

The present invention relates to composing machines and apparatus therefor and particularly to perforators and counters for preparing a perforated strip for the automatic control of line composing and casting machines.

The principal object of the invention is to enhance the effectiveness of keyboard perforators and counters by rendering such apparatus highly flexible and capable of ready utilization with all fonts of type.

A feature of the invention is to provide in a keyboard perforator and counter having a readily removable and interchangeable code bar unit, an efiicient means for interchanging coded elements for rendering the code bar unit readily adjustable for counting cumulatively the widths of matrices of any font of type.

Another feature of the invention is to provide, individual to each coded element of a code bar unit, a self-acting means to enable the ready insertion and withdrawal of the coded elements.

To accomplish the above and other objects of the invention, the keyboard perforator and counter according to Patent No. 2,059,250 granted November 3, 1936, to H, L. Krum is modified to accommodate an interchangeable code bar unit having readily interchangeable coded elements which correspond to matrix thicknesses. As is known, composing machines of the linecasting type are provided with matrices which consist of small brass units carrying indented characters and which vary in thickness according to the width of the characters impressed thereon. The length of a line of composed matter is dependent not only upon the number of matrices included in the line, but also upon the cumulative thicknesses of the matrices composing the line. During the preparation of a perforated strip representing lines of composed matter, it is necessary to totalize the various thicknesses of matrices corresponding to code perforations made in the strip and translate the information upon an indicator to permit the operator to determine the length of line remaining as each key is operated, and thus judge the justifiability of the line.

Besides the usual character matrices, composing machines of the particular type to which the present invention relates are also provided with expansible space bands which comprise a portion analogous to and having the contour of a character matrix and which are positioned in the line of matrices usually between each series of character matrices comprising a word, and this portion has slidably articulated thereto and depending therefrom a wedge portion. By means of these Wedge portions the justifying matrices are expanded or adjusted between certain ranges of thickness before the casting operation is performed. It is essential, therefore, that an indicator be provided which denotes not only the totalization of the character matrices but also the expansibility of the space bands, that these two functions be performed simultaneously, and that the resultant effect be apparent to the 10 operator at all times.

Matrices of the same style or font are stored in a magazine, and these magazines are adapted to be utilized interchangeably in the composing machine. Corresponding matrices in the difl5 ferent fonts may vary in thickness; thus lines of the same length being composed of a different style or font of type will contain a different number of characters per line which may require a different degree of justification.

In the embodiment of the invention herein disclosed, the keyboard includes keylevers arranged in a manner characteristic of typewriters which operate through a permutation selector mechanism contained in the housing of a perforator and counter apparatus to position permutably a series of code discs of a selector to select one of a circumferentially arranged series of rods. A counting barrel to which a constant torque is imparted is provided with a circum.- ferentially arranged series of slides, a. selected one of which cooperates with the selected rods to determine the degree of rotation of the counting barrel. The selector rods are sixteen in number, fourteen of which represent a series ranging from five units to eighteen units inclusive, since it is not necessary in practice to employ matrices smaller than five units in width. The remaining two rods are representative of the Zero position and function respectively. Thus, as the counting barrel is rotated through variable angles according to the selecting rod operated, like rotation is imparted to a spiral gear operativcly associated with the counting barrel, and through a suitable gear train variable motion is imparted to a matrix pointer associated with an indicator dial. Hence, as the keys are depressed, the matrix pointer is moved through variable cumulative distances corresponding to the widths or thicknesses of the matrices represented by the keys. According to the present invention, the variable motion imparted to the matrix pointer is adjusted for different fonts of type by interposing between the keylevers and the selector mechanism for thecounting device an interchangeable code bar unit provided with a plurality of pairs of coded elements (one pair allotted to each keylever and operable thereby), and selfacting means individual to each pair for ren'dering the coded elements readily removable and insertable by merely sliding them into and out of the code bar frame.

A more comprehensive understanding of the present invention may be had from the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference characters represent similar parts throughout the sev-' eral views.

Fig. 1 is a perspective View of a perforator and counter with parts broken away showing so.

much of the apparatus; as is necessary for an understanding of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a fragmental transverse sectional view of the apparatus according to the present invention, taken through the code bar unit and showing portions of associated structure;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view illustrating the preferred form of spring retention means for the coded elements contained in the interchangeable code bar unit; and

Figs. 4 and 5 are perspective views of modified forms of spring retention means similar to that shown in Fig. 3.

Having reference to Fig. 1, it is noted that most of the parts shown have their counterpart in the structure illustrated in Patent No. 2,059,250, the entire perforating mechanism not being shown, but which is nevertheless considered operatively associative with the present invention. In Fig. 1, a plurality of keylevers H are pivoted on a common rod I2 and are normally held by individual springs 13. These keylevers extend over a number of pairs of selector bars M and 55 included in the perforator selecting unit, indicated generally by the numeral i6, and pairs of bars H and i8 included in the selecting unit of the counting mechanism, indicated generally by the numeral l9. Each keylever H is arranged to depress one of the bars H1 or IE of each pair of bars, and through the medium of rocker arms 2%, the bar M or IE lifts the other bar of the pair to reciprocate longitudinally a permutation bar 22 cooperatively associated with and subjacently disposed to each pair of bars l4 and E5, to impart corresponding movement to the associated pivoted member 23. The members 23, as disclosed in Patent No. 2,059,250, control the operation of punch interference elements 24 in the tape perforating unit 25. The bars 22 are set in characteristic combinations, and for this purpose bars l4 and I5 are provided with notched upper edges, the bars of each pair being complements; that is, the high portions of one bar are disposed opposite to the low portions of the other bar of the same general pair.

Interposed between the series of keylevers II and the counter selector unit I9 is a removable and interchangeable code bar unit indicated generally by the numeral 26 which carries therein a plurality of pairs of coded elements 21. In the present invention, instead of the single counting code levers I06 of Patent No. 2,059,250, there are preferably provided a pair of elements 21, one for upper case characters and the other for lower case characters. In this manner, a pair of counting code elements is provided which is slidable vertically in a common slot below each keylever,-

2) on the code elements 21, which represent the number of units, or the unit-group, to which the character represented thereby belongs, are made in such manner that when the two code elements are assembled, the lower case count may be read on the face of the front bar nearest to the left end thereof, and the upper case count may be observed on the face of the rear bar through the window or aperture in the front bar. The advantage of providing the counting code elements in pairs resides in the fact that these elements may be reversed end for end, either jointly or individually, and may thus be utilized in one position for upper case counts, and in reversed position for lower case counts. Further, the individual elements may be paired'or combined variably one with another to provide any desired code arrangements. Thus there is allotted to each of the keylevers I l a pair of coded elements 2! which coact with the pairs of permutation bars El and N3 of the counter selecting unit IS.

The removable code bar unit for carrying the pairs of coded elements 21 comprises a channel shaped member having a web portion 28 (Fig. 2), and side walls 29 and 3|, which are in turn provided with flanges 32 and 33 respectively. The web 28 is provided with rectangular apertures 34 (Fig. 1) to guide the vertical projections 35 and 36 of the coded elements 21. The flanges 32 and 33 have notches in vertical alignment with the apertures 36 to insure the vertically guided movement of the coded elements 27.

The coded elements 2? are retained in their vertical or uppermost position by individual detent springs 31, each of which, as indicated in Figs. 2 and 3, comprises a coil spring having its extremities extended tangentially thereto and oppositely directed therefrom, which in turn terminate in laterally disposed portions 38 (Fig. 3) adapted to coact with the inner surfaces respectively of projections 35 and 35 of the coded elements 2?. These springs 31 are mounted upon a rod 39 carried in the unit 29. A guide member M guides the extremities of the coil spring 3?. With detent springs according to this arrangement, the code elements 21 are readily removable and insertable and are given a floating construction. To insert a pair of code elements 21, they need only be assembled by means of their dowel pins and slid up into the notches in flanges 32 and 33 and into the corresponding apertures 34 until portions 38 of the spring engage the undercut portions of projections 35 and 36, the spring then acting to urge the pair of elements 21 upwardly against the depending flanges of member 4! The pair of elements 21 is readily removable by urging the pair downwardly under slight pressure, thus flexing the tangentially extended portions of spring 31 until the ends 38 thereof slip over the inner apical portions of projections 35 and 36 of the code elements 21. It is, of course, understood that the present invention is as readily applicable to single elements 22' as to pairs of elements.

A shiftable carrier or cradle indicated generally by the numeral A2 (Fig. 2) controls the movement of the removable code bar unit 25 from shift to unshift position and vice versa. Carrier Q2 comprises a bottom plate 53 having depending ends "34 provided with slots adapted to engage rollers 46 (Fig. 2). Mounted upon and secured to the bottom plate 43 are a pair of Z-shaped members 49 and 5| which together with plate 53 form a track or runway for the code bar unit 26. Thus the code bar unit 25 is movable endwise, or transversely with respect to the keylevers. i

The shifting of the code bar unit 26 from unshift to shift positions and vice versa is controlled by a shift bail 52 which in turn is operated by the shift keylever 53 and the unshift keylever 54 (Fig. 1). Keylevers 53 and 54, like the keylevers H, are pivotally mounted on the rod l2. Associated with the shift keylever 55 is a lever 55 pivoted at 56 to bracket'5l carried on the underside of the base portion or housing 58. The extremity of lever 55 associated with the keylever 53 terminates in an abutting portion 59 (Fig. 2), and adjacent to portion 59 are two vertically extending projections BI and 62 which are oppositely deflected so as to embrace the keylever 53 to act as a guide therefor. The opposite extremity of lever 55 is pivotally connected to a link 63 which is connected to the bracket 54 secured to the bail 52. Therefore, when the keylever 53 is depressed, the lever 55 will be rotated in a counterclockwise direction (as viewed in Fig. l) to rotate, in turn through link 63, the bail 52 in a clockwise direction about its pair of trunnions 65. This movement of bail 52 will cause, through a pair of links 65, the carrier 42 to shift toward the left (as viewed in Fig. 2), which is the shift position of the code bar unit 26.

Similarly, unshift keylever 54 is carried on the pivot rod l2 and has associated therewith a lever 67 pivoted at 68 to a bracket 69 carried by the base portion 58. The end of the lever 61 contiguous to the keylever 54 is constructed in the same manner as the corresponding end of lever 55. The rearward end of lever 61 is connected to a link H which in turn is connected to a bracket 72 secured to bail 52. Therefore, when the lever 54 is depressed, counterclockwise motion is imparted to lever 51, which imparts, through link ll, counterclockwise motion to bail 52. Through links 66, the carrier 42, and hence code bar unit 26, is shifted toward the right as viewed in Fig. 2 to the unshift position.

Carried on the bail 52 (Fig. 1) is an arm 13 which cooperates with a detent member 14 mounted on a bracket l5. Member 14 is in the form of a bell crank lever, one arm of which carries a roller 16 coacting with a V-shaped projection ll integral with arm 13, and the other arm of lever M is connected to a spring 18. By virtue of this detent means, the bail 52, and hence the code bar unit 26, will be retained in its shift or unshift position until actuated to its opposite position.

Subjacently disposed to each pair of selector bars i1 and i8 is a permutation bar 19 which is operatively related thereto through the inedi um of rocker arms (similar to rocker arms 2!) located near each extremity of the selector bars l1 and i8. These rocker arms, like rocker arms 2!, are disposed in such manner that the depression of one selector bar of each pair of bars ll and i8 causes the operation of the other bar of that pair in a reverse direction, and causes the bar 79 to be reciprocated longitudinally upon the alternate actuations of said pair of bars.

When any keylever II is depressed, the selector bars I? and it will be moved in accordance with the location of the projections 40 on the code elements Eito cause the movement of the permutation bars 15 in varying permutations. As indicated in Fig. 2, the code projections 45 on one of the elements 21 are eifective in one shift position and the projections 4!! of the other element 2'! of the pair are effective in another shift position. The cradle 42 is shown in Fig. 2 in its left-hand or shift position, in which position the projections 40 of the rear element 21 are observed as being in cooperative relation with the bars N3 of the pairs of selector bars I! and Hi. In the position shown, the projections 40 on the front element 21 are ob served as being out of cooperative relation with bars I! and I 8. When the cradle 42 is moved to the rightward or unshift position the projections 40 on the front element 21 are disposed in cooperative relation with the bars l1 and i8 and the projections on the rear element 21 are out of cooperative relation with bars I! and I8.

The bars 19 are, as clearly described in Patent No. 2,059,250, operatively connected with a corresponding series of Y-shaped members 82 (Fig. l) which will be positioned in accordance with the operation of the permutation bars 15, and

will control the setting of a plurality of notched discs 83, forming a part of a code disc selector indicated generally by the numeral 80.

Individual to each of the members 82 and notched code discs 83 is a transfer lever 84 which is pivotally mounted on a rod 85 operated in a manner described in said patent, to reciprocate the transfer levers 84 vertically. For each oper ation of the bracket (not shown) carrying the transfer levers 84, the latter will be moved into operative relation with the Y-shaped levers 82; that is, whether the members 82 are swung to the right or left as viewed in Fig. 1, the transfer levers 84 will engage or be free of the upper end of Y-shaped members 82 to cause the discs 83 to be rocked in either a clockwise or a counterclockwise direction. With the Y-shaped members 82 operated in varying permutations in accordance with the movement of the permutation bars 19, the discs 83 will likewise be rotated in varying permutations and will correspondingly cause the alignment of the various groups of notches formed in the periphery of the discs.

Cooperating with the notches in the discs 83 is a plurality of rods 9!, there being a rod individual to each set of notches (when aligned) and arranged with anti-friction rollers 92. Each of the rods 9] is centripetally biased by an individual spring (not shown) whereby the rods 9| normally tend to move radially toward a common center into the notches of the disc 83, but inasmuch as the notches are arranged so that for each setting of the discs only one group thereof will be in transverse alignment, only one of the rods 9| at a time will be moved into the notches. Also, the notches in the disc 83 are arranged so that when the discs are moved for a subsequent selection, the previously selected rod 9! will be cammed outwardly against the action of its associated centripetally biasing spring. Operatively secured to the right-hand end of each of the rods 9| is a stopmember 96 (Fig. l) which slides in suitable slots formed in a circular member 95.

To the right of the code disc selector 84 (as viewed in Fig. l) is a counting barrel or unit 96, forming a part of the counting mechanism, which is rotated by power communicated from a continuously rotating motor (not shown) through a friction clutch 91. The counting unit 96 comprises a plurality of circumferentially arranged slides 98 which are longitudinally slidable and adapted to coact with the stop members 94 to determine the degree of rotation of unit 95, and any of the slides 98 which are found in the zero position are operated invariably by a lever (not shown), while a previously operated slide is simultaneously restored to its normal or non-operated position by a collar 99 to accomplish, through the coaction of an operated slide 98 and a selected stop member 94, the incrementally progressive movement of the counting unit 96. The counting unit 96 includes a shaft IIlI on which is formed a worm I92. Attention is directed herein to the structural feature of counting unit 96 in that it is of a very small diameter, thereby permitting of a high speed of rotation. By having the parts near the axis of rotation, the centrifugal action is reduced and the moment of inertia is materially less, which makes possible the rotation of the parts at very high speeds.

As previously mentioned, the slides 98 cooperate with the rods SI to arrest the rotation of the counting unit 96 which is driven through a friction clutch 9'! to cause a corresponding degree of rotation to worm I92. The rotation of the worm $92 which meshes with a gear I03 secured to a shaft I94 causes the corresponding angular rotation of a shaft I95 through gears I96 and IN. A worm I98 is fixed to the right extremity of shaft I95 and is adapted to mesh with a worm wheel I99 associated with a matrix pointer III, completing a gear train between the counting unit 36 and the matrix pointer I I I.

As shown in Fig, l, the indicator comprises a portion II2 adapted to carry slidably thereon a dial I I3 which is provided adjacent its arcuate edge with a scale ,or series of graduations representing the number of ems in a line of maximum length. The reverted end of the matrix pointer III moves along this edge of the dial from left to right, towards zero, in response to the totali- Zation of the matrix thicknesses by the counting mechanism. Thus, the distance from the pointer III to zero indicates the amount of space left in the line to be filled with matrices when the line contains no space bands. However, when space bands are inserted in the line, the space remaining to be filled varies with the number of space bands inserted. So, to indicate the justifiability of the composed line, a pair of space band pointers IM and H5 are provided, the distance between the pointers I I5 and I I5 indicating the amount of expansibility of the space bands.

In the embodiment shown, the dial H3 is articulated to the minimum space band pointer II5 through pin IIS and is movable with said pointer. The space left in the line to be filled when space bands are inserted is represented by the distance between the matrix pointer I l I and any point between space band pointers H4 and H9. The manner of effecting the differential or proportional movement of pointers H4 and H5 toward the left (from the zero position) is fully set forth in Patent No. 2,059,250 and need not be reiterated here. The matrix pointer III, as shown in Fig. 1, is disposed between a flanged sleeve III, carrying gear I09 and a disc H8, and as fuily described in the patent, the matrix pointer III is rendered movable with the gear Hi9 by reason or the frictional resistance generated between it and the disc I I8 by a spring I I9 through rod I25. To effect the return of the matrix pointer leftwardly (as viewed in Fig. 1) to its initial or beginning-of-line position against a stop (not shown), the rod I2I integrally formed with disc H8 is pushed forwardly by a suitable means against the compressive action of. spring II9 to diseifect the holding action of member I I9 and permit matrix pointer I I I to be returned to its initial position by a spring I22 acting on a cord I23.

Modifications In Figs. 4 and 5 are illustrated modified forms of spring retention means embodying the same principle as disclosed in Fig. 2. In the form shown in Fig. 4, the code bar unit I26 is similar to unit 26 shown in the preferred form (Fig. 3) except that the web is provided, in addition to slots I34, for the projections I35 and I36 of the coded elements I27, with apertures I28 adapted to receive the coils of individual coil springs I31. The springs I37 are held in place by a rod I39 threaded through the coils thereof. The extremities are and I59 of the springs I37 extend tangentially from the coil thereof and are directed opositely to each other. Portions I49 and I50 are conformed near their outer extremities with a loop portion I48 and terminate in an outwardly directed shouldered or latch portion I42 having an inwardly directed inclined part I43. The shouldered portions hi2 cooperate with studs I44 carried by the elements I27 to maintain the elements I21 in their vertical or uppermost positions, whereby the elements IZ'I are thus yieldingly held in place to be readily depressed by a superimposed keylever. The elements IZ'I may be removed by sliding them downwardly against the action of retention spring I3? until studs Hi4 slide off of shoulders I42, whereupon the spring I3'I, due to its resilience, will spring back and assume its normal position shown in Fig. 4. To insert the coded elements I27, they need only he slid up into the notches in flanges I32 and I33 and into the corresponding apertures I34 until the studs I44 encounter the inclined ends of the spring 543, whereupon the depending portion I45 of the spring will be deflected or cammed inwardly until the pins I44 ride over the shouldered portion I42, after which the portion I45 of the spring, due to its resilience, will cause the shoulder I42 to support the studs I543, the spring I3! thereby acting to urge the elements I2! upwardly against the web of the unit I25, a shoulder I 33 being provided on the elements I27 for this purpose.

In the form shown in Fig. 5, the code bar unit 226 is similar to unit I26 shown in Fig. 4, and is provided with slots 234 for the projections 235 and 236 of the coded elements 221. Apertures 228 are also provided in the web of the unit 226 to receive the coils of the individual coil springs 237. The coil springs 23?, like springs I3'I, are held in place by rod 239 threaded through the coils of springs 23?. The extremities 249 and 259 of the springs 23? extend tangentially from the coil thereof and are directed oppositely to each other.

These portions 24 and 258 are conformed near their extremity with a vertically disposed and coiled portion MI and with a depending shouldered portion 2&5. The portion 2'45 terminates in a shoulder 242 and an outwardly inclined portion 243. The shouldered portions 242 cooperate with studs 244 carried by the elements 221. With this form of spring, the coded elements 221 are retained in their vertical or uppermost position by the cooperation of shoulders M2 and studs 244. The elements 221 may be removed by sliding them downwardly against the action of retention spring 23? until the inclined portions 253 strike flanges 232 and/or 233, whereupon further pull on the coded elements 22'! will, through the action of studs 244 on shoulder 242, cause the depending portions 245 to be cammed outwardly until studs 244 clear the shoulders 242, whereupon the coded elements may be readily Withdrawn, after which the portions 240 and 250, due to the resilience of the spring, will spring back to their normal position shown in Fig. 5. To insert the coded elements 227, they need only be slid up into the notches in flanges 232 and 233 and into the corresponding apertures 234 until the studs 244 strike the inclined portions 243, whereupon further upward pressure on elements 221 will cause, through inclined portions 243, studs 244 to cam or deflect the depending portions 245 outwardly until the studs 244 ride over the shoulders 242, whereupon the depending portions 245 will spring inwardly, latching the elements 221 in place, and spring 23'? will thus urge the elements 22! upwardly until the shoulders 246 thereon abut against the web of the unit 226.

Although many changes and modifications may be made Without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, it is intended that this invention should not be limited to the specific language of the foregoing description nor to the details of the accompanying drawings, but to be permitted instead a latitude of construction as indicated by the hereunto appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In combination with a device for producing control strips for linecasting machines, including a plurality of keylevers, a selecting mechanism operable in accordance with the operation of said keylevers. a detachable and interchangeable code bar unit provided With a plurality of coded elements selectively and operably related to said keylevers and said selecting mechanism, and self-acting means to enable the ready insertion and removal of said coded elements.

2. In a keyboard device for making perforations in a tape to represent successive lines made up of characters of diiferent widths, a series of keys, means for totalizing the thicknesses of the characters in a line, a selector mechanism individual to said means, a pair of code members individual to each key, and self-acting means operable not only to render said code members effective under predetermined conditions to selectively operate the selector mechanism but also to enable the ready insertion and removal of said code members.

3. In combination with a device for producing perforated strips to control composing machines, a plurality of keylevers, means for totalizing the thicknesses of the characters in a line, a selector mechanism individual to said means, a pair of code members individual to each keylever, and spring means dually operable to render said code members effective under predetermined condi' tions to operate selectively the selector mechanism and to enable the ready insertion and removal of said code members.

4. In combination with a device for producing perforated strips to control composing machines, a plurality of keylevers, a selecting mechanism operable in accordance with the operation of said keylevers comprising a detachable and interchangeable code bar unit provided with a plurality of pairs of code elements selectively and operably related thereto, and self-acting means dually operative to render said code elements effective under predetermined conditions to operate selectively the selector mechanism and to enable the ready insertion and removal of said coded elements.

5. In a keyboard device, a series of keylevers, mechanism adapted to be controlled by said keylevers, a pair of floating elements associated with each keylever, and self-acting means dually operative to render said elements eifective under predetermined conditions to operate selectively said mechanism and to enable the ready insertion and removal of said elements.

6. In a keyboard device, a series of keylevers, mechanism adapted to be controlled by said keylevers, a pair of floating elements associated with each keylever, means controlled by certain of said keylevers to render one or the other of said pair of elements effective to control said mechanism difierently in accordance with the condition of said means, and self-acting means dually operative in either condition of said means to render said elements effective under predetermined conditions to operate selectively said mechanism and to enable the ready insertion and removal of said elements.

'7. In a keyboard device, a series of key levers, a mechanism adapted to be controlled by said key levers, a pair of floating elements associated with each key lever, and single means having a portion cooperating with each element of a pair to render said elements eflective under predetermined conditions to operate selectively said mechanism and to enable the ready insertion and removal of said elements.

8. In a keyboard device, a series of key levers, a mechanism adapted to be controlled by said key levers, a pair of floating elements associated with each key lever, and single means having a portion cooperating with one of the elements of said pair and another portion cooperating with the other element of said pair to render said elements effective under predetermined conditions to operate selectively said mechanism and to enable the ready insertion and removal of said elements.

9. In a keyboard device, a series of key levers, a mechanism adapted to be controlled by said key levers, a pair of floating elements associated with each of said key levers, a stud carried by each of said elements, and single means having a portion engaging the stud carried by each element of said pair to render said elements effective under predetermined conditions to operate selectively said mechanism and to enable the ready insertion and removal of said elements.

10. In a keyboard device, a series of key levers, code bars adapted to be controlled directly by said key levers, a pair of floating elements operativeiy engageable directly by each key lever, other code bars adapted to be controlled by said floating elements, and self-acting means adapted to operatively position said floating members and to enable the ready insertion and removal of said elements.

BERTI-IEL F. MADSEN. 

